In anticipation that the Central government will amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India during the upcoming budget session of Parliament, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) met here today to push for inclusion of its various demands in the amendment bill.
KHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N. Syiem said that in the coming days, representatives of the KHADC will meet officials of the Home Ministry and if possible also the Home Minister Amit Shah to put their points forward.
Syiem said that the district councils in the State do not receive funds regularly from the Centre since these institutions do not fall under Article 280, which is for Municipal Bodies and Panchayats.
“At present, the district councils receive funding through the Ministry of Panchayat because there is no provision in the Constitution from where these institutions should be funded,” he said.
However, the Deputy CEM said that as per the amendment bill, funding for district councils would be through Article 280 but there are certain obstacles, like the use of the words “Village Council”, so that it does not affect the system of local governance in the State.
The KHADC wants to ensure that in the 125th Amendment the words “Village Council” should not be inserted in the district councils in Meghalaya but the words “Village Dorbar” should be included.
Syiem also stated that the words “Municipal Council” should not be included but the words “Town Committee or Town Dorbar” should be inserted in the amendment.
He also said that the Rangbah Shnongs (traditional heads) should be elected by the Himas or Elakas as per the rules of the district council.
“This election should not be conducted by the State Election Commission,” Syiem said.
On the issue of “unrepresented tribes”, the KHADC wants that there should not be any such mention in the amendment bill but it should only specify that a certain number should be nominated members of the district councils.
As far as increasing the number of seats in district councils, Syiem said that there are suggestions that in KHADC there should be 35 elected members and two or four nominated members. At present 29 are elected members and one is nominated.
The Deputy CEM also said that the mind of the district councils and the State government should be at the same level so that the Home Ministry is not confused.
